TWI739224B - Multipurpose controller for multistate windows - Google Patents

Abstract

“Smart” controllers for windows having controllable optical transitions are described. Controllers with multiple features can sense and adapt to local environmental conditions. Controllers described herein can be integrated with a building management system (BMS) to greatly enhance the BMS’s effectiveness at managing local environments in a building. The controllers may have one, two, three or more functions such as powering a smart window, determining the percent transmittance, size, and/or temperature of a smart window, providing wireless communication between the controller and a separate communication node, etc.

Description

Multi-purpose controller for multi-state windows

The present invention generally relates to electrochromic devices, and more specifically relates to a controller for electrochromic windows. This application claims the rights and interests of U.S. Patent Application No. 13/049,756 entitled "Multipurpose Controller For Multistate Windows" filed on March 16, 2011 and is related to the following U.S. patent application: "Controlling Transitions In Optically" Switchable Devices" and filed on March 16, 2011, U.S. Patent Application No. 13/049,623, titled "Controlling Transitions In Optically Switchable Devices" and filed on December 2, 2011, U.S. Patent Application No. No. 13/309,990 and U.S. Patent Application No. 13/049,750 titled "Onboard Controller for Multistate Windows" filed on March 16, 2011, all such patent applications are quoted in their entirety and for all purposes Incorporated into this article.

Electrochromism is a material that exhibits a reversible electrochemically mediated change in optical properties when placed in a different electronic state (usually by subjecting it to a voltage change). The optical properties are usually one or more of color, transmittance, absorptivity, and reflectivity. A well-known electrochromic material is tungsten oxide (WO ₃ ). Tungsten oxide is a cathodic electrochromic material in which a color transition (transparent to blue) occurs through electrochemical reduction. For example, electrochromic materials can be incorporated into windows for home, business, and other uses. The color, transmittance, absorptivity, and/or reflectivity of these windows can be changed by inducing one of the electrochromic materials to change, that is, electrochromic windows are windows that can be dimmed or brightened electronically. A small voltage applied to an electrochromic device (EC) of the window will cause it to darken; invert the voltage to cause it to brighten. This ability allows the amount of light passing through the window to be controlled and provides an opportunity for the electrochromic window to be used as an energy-saving device. Although electrochromic has been discovered in the 1960s, unfortunately, EC devices and in particular EC windows still suffer from various problems and have not yet begun to realize their full commercial potential, despite recent EC technology, equipment, and production and/or use There have been many advances in the related methods of EC devices.

This invention describes a "smart" controller for EC windows. The controller with multiple features can sense local environmental conditions and adapt it according to the local environmental conditions. The controller described in this article can be integrated with a building management system (BMS) to greatly enhance the effectiveness of the BMS in managing the local environment in a building. The controller described in this article may have the functionality to provide one, two, three, or more of the following features: (a) supply power to an EC window and an EC device; (b) determine an EC window (C) Determine the size of an EC window; (d) Determine the temperature of an EC device in an EC window; (e) Determine damage to an EC device in an EC window; (f) Determine the EC The length of the wire between the window controller and an EC window; (g) the wireless communication between the EC window controller and a separate communication node; (h) the storage and transmission of an RFID tag via an active or passive power supply and an EC window Relevant information; (i) store the charge generated by the transformation of one of the EC devices of the EC window and/or direct this charge to a power grid; (j) repair the short-circuit related defects of one of the EC devices of the EC window; and (k) Heating one or two electrodes of an EC device of an EC window. In one disclosed aspect, a window controller for controlling one or more windows capable of undergoing a reversible optical transition is configured or designed to provide at least two functions. In some implementations, it can be any two of the following: (a) power is supplied to at least one of the one or more windows to reversibly transform; (b) determine the one or more windows (C) Determine the size of at least one of the one or more windows; (d) Determine the temperature of at least one of the one or more windows; (e) Determine Damage to at least one of the one or more windows; (f) determine the wire length between the window controller and at least one of the one or more windows; (g) the window controller and a Wireless communication between separate communication nodes; (h) Store and transmit data related to at least one of the one or more windows via one of the active or passively powered RFID tags; (i) Store data related to at least one of the one or more windows At least one of the windows transforms the generated charge and/or directs the charge to a power grid; (j) repairs short-circuit related defects of at least one of the one or more windows; and (k) heats the one Or one or two electrodes of an electrochromic device of at least one of the windows. In various embodiments, the controller is configured or designed to provide at least functions (b), (c), (d), and (e). In other embodiments, the controller is configured or designed to provide at least functions (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e). In still other embodiments, the controller is configured or designed to provide at least functions (a), (b), (d), (g), and (h). Certain disclosed aspects relate to a controller as described but provided as part of a larger combination of component systems, such as a building management system that includes the window controller described. In another example, a device includes (i) a building management system (BMS); (ii) a window controller as described above; and (iii) a multi-state electrochromic window. In yet another example, a device includes (i) a window controller as described above, and (ii) an electrochromic window. In various embodiments, the electrochromic system is completely solid and inorganic. The other disclosed aspects relate to methods of managing a building's system. These methods can utilize data collected by a window controller from one or more windows in the building that can undergo a reversible optical transition. Use this data as input for adjusting at least one other system of the building, such as HVAC, lighting, security, electricity, fire suppression, and elevator control. In some related methods, the controller provides power to one or more windows to drive the reversible optical transitions. In a specific embodiment, the method includes the following operations: (a) power is supplied to the reversible optical transition of at least one of the one or more windows; (b) determining whether at least one of the one or more windows is Reversible optical transition; (c) determining the temperature of at least one of the one or more windows; (d) wireless communication between the window openness sensor and a separate communication node; and (e) via active or passive power supply An RFID tag stores and transmits data related to at least one of the one or more windows. In a particular example, the method further involves collecting one or more of the following types of data about the one or more windows: transmittance, size, temperature. In a different example, the method additionally involves storing data about one or more windows in the controller. Yet other disclosed aspects relate to a window controller for controlling one or more windows capable of undergoing reversible optical transformation, wherein the window controller is configured or designed to provide the following functions: (a) Power is supplied to the one or more windows. Reversible optical transition of at least one of the windows; (b) determining the transmittance of at least one of the one or more windows; (c) determining the temperature of at least one of the one or more windows; (d) Communication between the window controller and a single communication node; and (e) Store and transmit data related to at least one of the one or more windows. In these controllers, the function of determining the temperature of at least one of the one or more windows can be implemented by direct measurement from one or more sensors on the at least one window. Alternatively, the function of determining the temperature of at least one of the one or more windows can be implemented by calculating the temperature based on the current and/or voltage information from the at least one window. In these controllers, the function of supplying power to the reversible optical transition can be implemented by means of a pulse-width amplifier called an h-bridge or a buck converter. Additionally or alternatively, the function of determining the transmittance of at least one of the one or more windows is implemented by direct measurement from one or more sensors on the at least one window. In some embodiments, the function of storing and transmitting data related to at least one of the one or more windows may involve reading data from a controller embedded in the at least one window. These and other features and advantages will be described in further detail below with reference to the associated drawings.

When considering the diagrams, the following detailed descriptions can be more fully understood. Conventional EC window controllers have several drawbacks. For example, it usually needs to be calibrated at the factory for a specific insulated glass unit (IGU) size and wire length, and any mismatch during installation can cause problems. In addition, conventional window controllers must be hard-wired to a building management system and commands to the controller are usually entered by hand at the controller or via a BMS. The sensors on these window controllers usually have separate sensors for providing data feedback for the control of the window and for supplying data to a BMS. The conventional EC window controller is also limited in the type of data it collects from the EC window environment and how it collects this data. The controller described in this article does not suffer from such problems. The multi-purpose EC window controller described in this article includes the following features: providing easier installation, improved user interface, wireless communication and control, higher and consistent performance under changing conditions, and (for example) integration into 1. The ability to enhance environmental conditions in the building management system.EC Device The controller described in this article is used to control the EC device, specifically the EC device in the EC window. Essentially, any EC device will work with the multi-purpose controller described in this article. Additionally, there are non-electrochromic optical switchable devices, such as liquid crystal devices and suspended particle devices. For context, the EC technology is explained below with regard to fully solid state and inorganic EC devices (specifically, low defect rate fully solid state and inorganic EC devices). Referring to the discussion associated with Figure 5, due to their low defect rate and robust nature, these devices are particularly suitable for the multi-purpose controllers described herein. An embodiment is any controller described herein, wherein the controller includes one or more EC devices selected from the EC devices described herein.EC window Electrochromic windows can use one or more EC devices, and for electrochromic windows using more than one EC device, more than one type can be used in a window unit (IGU plus frame and/or attached structural support)的EC device. An EC window will usually have wires or leads that extend from the bus bar of the EC device through one of the IGU seals. These leads can also pass through a window frame. A window controller (for example) is wired to the leads near the EC window or not near the EC window. The EC window is described in the patent application incorporated herein by reference. Although not limited to this type of use, the multi-purpose controller described in this article is specifically used for multi-state EC windows, that is, it can not only transition between disparate states of coloring and fading, but also transition to one Or multiple windows in intermediate shaded states. A specific example of a multi-state window with two or more EC panes is described in U.S. Patent Application No. 12/851,514, filed on August 5, 2010 and titled "Multipane Electrochromic Windows." The patent application is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. One advantage of this type of multi-pane EC window is the possibility that the defects in each of the EC panes are perfectly aligned and therefore the possibility that it can be observed by the end user is relatively small. This advantage is enhanced when using low defect rate panes. The controller described herein is suitable for controlling and coordinating (for example) the functions of one or more EC devices in a single window. When used in conjunction with EC windows (for example, completely solid and inorganic EC windows) with advanced performance characteristics (for example, short conversion time, low defect rate, long life, uniform conversion, etc.), the ones described in this article The window controller significantly enhances the environmental control in a building. This is especially true when the window controller is integrated with a BMS. The interrelationship between window efficiency, microclimate sensing and environmental control is explained in more detail below.Building Management System Although not limited to this context, the multi-purpose controller described in this article is suitable for integration with a BMS. A BMS is a computer-based control system installed in a building that monitors and controls the mechanical and electrical equipment of the building, such as ventilation equipment, lighting, electrical systems, elevators, fire protection systems, and automatic door locks and alarms. Security systems such as switches, turnstiles, etc. A BMS consists of hardware and associated software used to maintain the conditions in the building according to the preferences set by the occupants and/or the building manager. For example, the software can be based on Internet protocols and/or open standards. A BMS is the most common in a large building, and is usually used at least to control the environment in the building. For example, a BMS can control the temperature, carbon dioxide content and humidity in a building. Usually, there are many mechanical devices controlled by a BMS, such as heaters, air conditioners, blowers, vents and so on. In order to control the building environment, a BMS can open and close these various devices under defined conditions. One of the core functions of a typical modern BMS is to maintain a comfortable environment for the occupants of the building while minimizing heating and cooling losses. Therefore, a modern BMS is not only used for monitoring and control but also for optimizing the coordination between various systems, for example, to save energy and reduce building operating costs. One embodiment is a multi-purpose controller as described herein integrated with a BMS, wherein the multi-purpose controller is configured to control one or more EC windows. In one embodiment, the one or more EC windows comprise at least one fully solid state and inorganic EC device. In one embodiment, the one or more EC windows include only fully solid and inorganic windows. In one embodiment, the EC window is a multi-state EC window as set forth in US Patent Application No. 12/851,514 entitled "Multipane Electrochromic Windows" filed on August 5, 2010. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a BMS 100 that manages multiple systems of a building 101, including security systems, heating/ventilation equipment/air conditioning (HVAC), building lighting, power systems, elevators, fire protection systems, etc. The security system can include magnetic card entry, turnstiles, electromagnetically driven door locks, surveillance cameras, burglar alarms, metal detectors, etc. The fire protection system may include fire alarms and fire extinguishing systems including water pipe control. The lighting system may include internal lighting, external lighting, emergency warning lights, emergency exit signs and emergency floor exit lighting. The power system may include a main power source, a backup generator, and an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) network. In addition, the BMS 100 manages a window controller 102. In this example, the window controller 102 is shown as a distributed window controller network, including a main controller 103, an intermediate controller 105, and a terminal or leaf controller 110. For example, the main controller 103 may be close to the BMS, and each floor of the building 101 may have one or more intermediate controllers 105, and each window of the building may have its own terminal controller 110. In this example, each of the controllers 110 controls one of the specific EC windows of the building 101. Each of the controllers 110 may be in a position separate from the EC window controlled by the controller or integrated into the EC window. For simplicity, only 10 EC windows of the building 101 are shown as being controlled by the window controller 102. In a typical setting, there may be a very large number of EC windows controlled by the window controller 102 in a building. The window controller 102 does not need to be a distributed window controller network. For example, a single terminal controller that controls one of the functions of a single EC window also falls within the scope of the present invention. The advantages and features of combining the multi-purpose EC window controller and the BMS as described herein are expediently explained in more detail below and with respect to FIG. 1. One aspect of the present invention includes a BMS as a multi-purpose EC window controller as described herein. By incorporating feedback from a multi-purpose EC window controller, a BMS can provide (for example) enhanced following: 1) environmental control, 2) energy saving, 3) safety, 4) control options Flexibility, 5) due to less reliance on other systems and therefore less maintenance, improved reliability and useful life of other systems, 6) information availability and diagnosis, 7) effective use of staff, and all of the above Various combinations of items, this is because the EC window can be automatically controlled. This type of multi-purpose controller is described in more detail below in the context of (for example) being integrated into a BMS, however, the present invention is not limited to this. The multi-purpose controller of the present invention may be an independent controller. For example, the independent controllers are configured to control the functions of a single window or a plurality of EC windows without being integrated into a BMS.Used for EC Multi-purpose controller for windows The window controller described herein has a microprocessor that controls one or more functions of one or more EC devices of an EC window. In one example, the controller adjusts the potential of the EC device applied to the window and optionally controls other functions (alone or in combination with other microprocessors), such as recharging a battery used to operate the window, and a remote Controls (such as a handset ("remote control") and/or a BMS) communicate wirelessly. Since electrochromic windows not only provide enhanced control over the amount of light entering a building, but can also be used to, for example, keep heat inside or outside a building by providing a high-level thermal barrier. The benefits of the EC window are enhanced by the multi-purpose controller described in this article. This is especially true when the controller is integrated with, for example, a BMS in a building with many EC windows. When the multi-purpose controller is not only integrated into a BMS, but also used to control the function of the multi-state EC window, the benefits are multiplied. In one embodiment, the EC window controller is a multi-purpose controller, that is, it can control and/or monitor multiple functions and/or characteristics of one or more EC windows. One way to enhance the ability to include an EC window controller into a BMS in the BMS system is to provide feedback to a window controller with such enhanced capabilities in the BMS, in particular where the feedback includes multiple parameters and is On a more fine-grained, window-by-window basis. Under the conventional automatic control of EC windows or non-conventional automatic control of EC windows, these capabilities and/or functions allow for coordinated control of (for example) the energy demand of a building, and thus can save more than and exceed Funds for installing such windows in a building. The more efficient and multifunctional the EC window used in this system, the greater the energy saving and environmental control. The multi-state EC window system is configured with one of the example choices of the BMS of the multi-purpose controller. The embodiments described herein include a multi-purpose controller that can control one or more EC devices of an EC window and also control one or more functions of each EC device of the associated window. An aspect of the present invention includes one, two, three, or one of the following functions: an EC window controller: (a) supplying power to an EC device of the EC window; (b) determining an EC window (C) Determine the size of the EC window; (d) Determine the temperature of one of the EC devices of the EC window; (e) Determine the damage to one of the EC devices of the EC window; (f) Determine the EC window controller and The length of the wire between EC windows; (g) wireless communication between the EC window controller and a separate communication node; (h) storage and transmission of data related to an EC window via an RFID tag with active or passive power supply; ( i) Store the charge generated by the conversion of one of the EC devices of the EC window and/or direct this charge to a power grid; (j) Repair the short-circuit related defects of one of the EC devices of the EC window; and (k) Heat the EC window One or more electrodes of an EC device. Each of these capabilities and functions is explained in more detail below.Power one EC Device In some embodiments, the multi-purpose controller can supply power to one or more EC devices in an EC window. Generally, this function of the controller is enhanced by one or more other functions described in more detail below. The controller described herein is not limited to a controller having the function of supplying power to an EC device, and the controller is associated with the EC device for control purposes. That is, the power source of the EC window can be separated from the controller, where the controller has its own power source and directs the power from the window power source to be applied to the window. However, it is convenient to include a power source into the controller and configure the controller to directly supply power to the window, because it eliminates the need for a separate wiring for powering the EC window. One embodiment is a window controller having one, two, three, or more than three capabilities described herein, wherein at least one of the capabilities is to control the optical state of an EC window. In various embodiments, there are certain conditions in which the current and voltage can be individually limited, and there is an optimal sequence by which the window is controlled by the current limit and/or the voltage limit to ensure that it is quite fast and not Damaged optical transformations (such as tinting and fading an electrochromic window). Examples of these sequences are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 13/049,623, titled "Controlling Transitions In Optically Switchable Devices", which designates Pradhan, Mehtani, and Jack as inventors and filed on March 16, 2011. The The U.S. patent application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. As part of the window control process, the controller can receive measurements of current and/or voltage on a window. Once such measurements are made, the "control" function can impose appropriate current and/or voltage limits to allow the window to reliably change state. One example of supplying power to an electrochromic window involves the use of a controller with a pulse width modulation amplifier (see Figure 3) (referred to as an "h bridge") that allows the load to float, ground, or be set to Any voltage or polarity between the input voltage to the controller and ground. In other embodiments, an EC controller is implemented using a "buck converter" and a separate polarity switch, which allows the load to be set to any voltage or polarity between the input voltage to the controller and ground. Control can also include current limiting during all or part of the transition from one state to another.Percent transmittance (%T) The electrochromic window has at least one EC device deposited on a glass or other transparent substrate and may have other coatings that are part of an IGU in a window unit. The percentage transmittance (%T) of an EC window (usually the integrated transmittance across the visible spectrum of an IGU of an EC window) is an important parameter because it determines how much light is entering the window in which it is installed. One measurement in a room. When using a window with multi-state capabilities, that is, a final state with intermediate states and coloring and fading, it is important to have feedback about %T in order to maintain a specific transition state and/or move to A new color shift. The controller described in this article can measure %T by using a sensor and/or by using current/voltage (I/V) parameters to calculate %T. The determination of %T can be inferred by algorithm or using a sensor (for example, a photometer sensor, such as a silicon photodiode) wired to a controller with analog input (AI-transmittance) directly Measure. See Figures 3 and 4 discussed below. Another acceptable sensor is a pyranometer that measures solar irradiance across a larger solar radiation spectrum. In one embodiment, the controller includes a sensor on the outside of the building (or on the side of the window facing the outside when installed) (the sensor serves one or more EC windows and measures into the Or the solar spectrum of the windows) and another internal sensor that measures the solar irradiance of the window of the IGU that passes through each window. These two energy values are logically compared within the controller to provide a measurement of one of the %T of the window. When a sensor on the outer side (or window) of a building is used to serve more than one window, the controller will usually sample the external solar irradiance for use in calculating the (effective) %T of each window unit . For example, when installing or replacing in the field, the sensor is calibrated according to its respective IGU. In one embodiment, the controller uses an outer and an inner sensor for the %T of each window. This embodiment is particularly suitable for obtaining finer feedback on %T for adjusting the transmittance of individual windows accordingly, or (for example) for adjusting a building when the window controller is integrated into a BMS Many parameters, such as HVAC and so on. For example, referring to FIG. 1 again, the window controller 102 controls 5 EC windows on the side A of the building 101 and 5 windows on the side B of the building 101. These windows are shown as being located on the top floor of building 101. In this example, the intermediate controller 105a controls three windows in one room of the building 101, and the intermediate controller 105b controls 7 windows in the other room, two windows on the side A of the building 101 and 5 Two windows are on side B of building 101. In this example, there is a shadow of a cloud on the side B of the building 101. This is because a cloud is blocking the part of the sun's rays. Assuming that all EC windows are of the same size and type, each of the two windows on side A of the building 101 controlled by the intermediate controller 105b will have the same approximate %T, and will be controlled by the intermediate controller 105b Each of the 5 windows located on side B of the building 101 will have a different %T value because each has a different percentage area covered by the shadow from the clouds. This granularity in data feedback is highly valuable in terms of controlling the environment (for example, light, heat, etc.) in a room with these 7 windows. The intermediate controller 105b uses %T feedback to maintain the desired environment in a room with these 7 windows. The main controller 103 uses the data from the intermediate controllers 105a and 105b to control the environment of the two rooms. For example, if a room with an EC window controlled by the intermediate controller 105b is a conference room with many people, the drop in %T due to cloud shadows will make the room easier to cool, or for example, Reduce the power requirement for darkening the window during a slide show in one of the meeting rooms. The multi-purpose controller described in this article includes logic for using this type of feedback to adjust the parameters of the building via a BMS to maximize energy savings. In this example, the energy saved in the conference room due to the cooling and darkening effects of the shadows can be used to transform the windows in the room controlled by the middle window controller 105a, or, for example, the energy can be stored for later in the meeting Used in windows in the room (see "Charge Storage" below). In one embodiment, %T is inferred from the I/V characteristics of an EC device of the IGU. An IGU or a window can be characterized by the relationship between an electrical pulse sent through the device and how the device behaves before and after the pulse. For example, a direct current (DC) pulse is sent through an EC device of an IGU, and as a result the DC voltage measured across the electrode (TCO) of the device provides an I/V characteristic of the device. Environmental factors (such as temperature) or the material properties of the device can produce a non-linear I/V relationship (and cause hysteresis). Therefore, the EC device is tested at varying temperatures to form data programmed into the logic of the controller of the present invention for reference when determining the various characteristics of the IGU installed with the controller. In one embodiment, %T is measured in this way. For example, when the power is turned on, the controller sends a predetermined signal to the IGU of a window, and based on the IGU's response to the signal, calculates %T by knowing the hysteresis curve of the EC device of the IGU. %T can also be inferred from the "ion current", which can be calculated by measuring the applied current and subtracting the leakage current. In one embodiment, the open circuit voltage (V_oc ), then apply an electrical pulse, and then measure V again_oc . V as a result of electrical pulse_oc The change allows %T to be calculated based on (for example) the previous characteristics of the device. In one instance, together with V_oc Measure the temperature of the device and calculate %T based on the performance of the EC device in the previous characteristic test for these pulses.IGU Size and temperature The "temperature" of an electrochromic device can be inferred by an algorithm or directly measured using a sensor (for example, a thermocouple, resistance temperature measuring resistor, or RTD (Resistive Thermal Device)). In various embodiments, the device is wired or otherwise communicatively coupled to a controller analog input (AI-EC temperature). See Figure 3 and Figure 4. Using the I/V measurement described above together with the characteristic data of the IGU, the size and temperature of the IGU can be determined by the controller described in this article. For example, for each of a 20”×20” window, a 40”×40” window, and a 60”×60” window, data are collected based on I/V measurements at multiple temperatures. Program this data into a window controller with different capabilities and functions regarding these three window sizes. On site, during installation, an installer connects the window controller so programmed with an EC window. The controller sends an electric pulse through the IGU of the window and responds according to the current and is related to the programmed data. The controller can determine the size and temperature of the window. This information is used, for example, to program the logic of the controller according to the appropriate window size so that, for example, the appropriate power is used to transform the window during operation.right EC Damage to the device In one embodiment, the window controller described herein uses I/V characteristics (such as the I/V characteristics described above) to determine damage to an EC device in an IGU of an EC. For example, assuming that the characteristic leakage current of the EC device is programmed into the logic of the controller, when the controller tries IGU to obtain I/V feedback, this data can be compared with the other from the factory and/or installation. IGU information. If the leakage current is greater than the leakage current during installation, damage to the IGU may occur. The greater the change in I/V characteristics, the more likely the damage to the EC device of the IGU has occurred. For example, if the window is damaged by an object hitting the window, the controller described herein will detect the damage as described (for example, a large electrical short circuit), and, for example, Proper repair or safety personnel are warned via a BMS. In another example, over time, multiple defects appear in an EC device of an IGU, which causes one of the I/V characteristics of the window to change. This information is fed back to an end user and/or a BMS to notify the appropriate personnel that the IGU needs to be replaced or repaired (see "Repair of Field Short-Circuit Related Defects" below).Wire length: ranging The controller described herein may have logic and associated hardware to determine the length of the wire between a window and the controller. For example, the controller can apply an electrical signal to the wiring leading to one or more IGUs it controls and then measure the frequency change in the line transmission of the signal. This frequency change is used to determine the length of the wiring or "route" between the controller and the IGU. Knowing the length of the wiring can be important because the amount of power provided by the power source depends on the length of the wiring that the power must traverse. This is because there is a power drop associated with the resistance in the wire. The power supply may need to adjust the amount of power it sends to power the windows separated from it according to the different lengths of the wires. Ranging is usually performed between a terminal controller and an associated IGU in a window. Ranging can be performed actively or passively. In active ranging, the EC device of the IGU is active and can respond to a signal from the controller. In passive ranging, when performing ranging, the EC device is switched out of the circuit. In some embodiments, a relay is provided at the IGU end of the wire (usually embedded in the secondary seal of the IGU). The controller sends a message along the IGU power line (using, for example, the OneWire interface of MAXIM, see www.maxim-ic.com/products/1-wire/flash/overview/index.cfm (incorporated by reference)), And the IGU then switches itself out of the circuit for a limited period of time to allow the controller to perform a ranging test. At a predefined time interval, the IGU switches itself back into the circuit and allows normal control of the IGU to be restored. In some embodiments, the controller is located in the window frame or very close to the window frame, and therefore the distance measurement is unnecessary, because all terminal controllers have the same wiring between the terminal controllers and their respective IGUs length.Wireless or wired communication In some embodiments, the window controller described herein includes components for wired or wireless communication between the window controller and a separate communication node. Wireless or wired communication can be achieved by directly interfacing a communication interface with the window controller. This interface can be provided on the microprocessor itself, or through additional circuits that implement these functions. For example, a single communication node for wireless communication can be another wireless window controller, a terminal, an intermediate or main window controller, a remote control device, or a BMS. Use wireless communication in the window controller for at least one of the following operations: program and/or operate the EC window, collect data from the EC window according to the various sensors and protocols described in this article, and use the EC window as a wireless A relay point of communication. The data collected from the EC window may also include count data such as the number of times an EC device has been activated, the efficiency of the EC device over time, and so on. Each of these wireless communication features is explained in more detail below. In one embodiment, wireless communication is used, for example, to operate the associated EC window via an infrared (IR) and/or radio frequency (Rf) signal. In some embodiments, the controller will include a wireless protocol chip, such as Bluetooth, EnOcean, WiFi, Zigbee, etc. The window controller can also have wireless communication via a network. The input to the window controller can be input by a user directly or manually via wireless communication, or the input can be from a BMS of a building, a component of the EC window system. In one embodiment, when the window controller is part of a distributed controller network, wireless communication is used to transmit data to each of the plurality of EC windows via the distributed controller network and from Each of a plurality of EC windows transmits data, and each controller has a wireless communication component. For example, referring again to FIG. 1, the main window controller 103 communicates with each of the intermediate controllers 105 in a wireless manner, and the intermediate controllers communicate with the terminal controller 110 in a wireless manner, and each terminal controls The device is associated with an EC window. The main controller 103 can also communicate with the BMS in a wireless manner. In one embodiment, communication of at least one level in the window controller is performed wirelessly. In some embodiments, more than one wireless communication mode is used in a distributed network of window controllers. For example, a main window controller can communicate wirelessly to the intermediate controller via WiFi or Zigbee, and the intermediate controller communicates with the terminal controller via Bluetooth, Zigbee, EnOcean or other protocols. In another example, the window controller has a redundant wireless communication system to provide end users with flexibility in the choice of wireless communication. For example, wireless communication between the main and/or middle window controller and the terminal window controller provides the advantage of eliminating the need to install hard communication lines. The same is true for the wireless communication between the window controller and the BMS. In one aspect, wireless communication in these roles can be used for data transmission to and from the EC window for operating the window and providing data to (for example) the BMS to optimize the environment in a building And energy saving. Cooperate with the enhanced window position data and the feedback from the sensors to achieve this optimization. For example, the fine-grained (window by window) microclimate information is fed to a BMS in order to optimize the various environments of the building. A BMS can also collect information on how many times an EC device is powered for higher-level feedback to the manufacturer, for example, feedback on the quality control and reliability of windows installed in buildings. However, there are other advantages of these wireless communications. For example, since EC window control and data transmission do not require a large amount of bandwidth, a distributed network with wirelessly connected windows and controllers provides a very useful opportunity to use the network for other purposes. In one embodiment, the wireless window controller network is used to relay information related to other non-EC windows in a building. For example, Zigbee uses a window controller and other window controllers or other devices that also use Zigbee (such as dimmable ballasts, alarm systems, etc.) to construct a mesh network. Since this network traffic passing through the window controller may not be related to the window control at all, the window controller only improves the network reliability.Radio Frequency Identification Radio frequency identification (RFID) involves interrogators (or card readers) and tags (or tags). RFID tags use communication via electromagnetic waves (usually radio frequency) to exchange data (for example) between a terminal and an object for the purpose of identifying and tracking the object. Some RFID tags can be read from several meters away and beyond the line of sight of the reader. Most RFID tags contain at least two parts. One part is an integrated circuit for storing and processing information, modulating and demodulating a radio frequency (Rf) signal, and other specialized functions. The other part is an antenna used to receive and transmit signals. There are three types of conventional RFID tags: passive RFID tags, which do not have a power source and require an external electromagnetic field to initiate a signal transmission; active RFID tags, which contain a battery and can transmit signals once a card reader has been successfully identified ; And Battery Assisted Passive (BAP) RFID tags, which require an external source to wake up but have significantly higher forward link capabilities, thereby providing a larger range. RFID has many applications; for example, it can be used in enterprise supply chain management to improve the efficiency of EC device inventory tracking and management. One embodiment is a window controller that includes an RFID tag as described herein. In one embodiment, the window controller is a terminal controller associated with a specific IGU. In one embodiment, the RFID tag may be installed on the IGU before installing the window controller, that is, after the IGU and the window controller are wired together, the RFID tag is considered to be part of the window controller. Depending on the ability of the controller to supply power to the RFID, the RFID tag can be active, passive or BAP. As described in this article, an RFID tag in a window controller can contain at least one of the following data types: warranty information, installation information, manufacturer information, batch/inventory information, EC device/IGU characteristics, user information, manufacturing Date, window size, and specific parameters used for a specific window. These RFID tags eliminate the need for sticky labels with such information on IGUs or windows, and some RFIDs have basic processing capabilities, such as tracking how many times an associated EC device has been activated. An imprecise BMS can, for example, use this information for environmental control based on the performance of known EC devices based on usage. In another example, an installer can use a portable card reader to determine which terminal controller to install in a specific window and/or the controller itself can read the RFID tag before or when it is connected to the IGU And its own programming. In related embodiments, a controller can also have an embedded (for example, part of a wiring harness or encapsulated by a secondary seal, etc.) but physically separated IGU reading of RFID tags, EEPROMs or FLASH memory chips Data, the RFID tag, EEPROM or FLASH memory chip will allow one of these storage devices to store various details of the window. Examples of information that can be stored on tags or memory devices embedded in IGU include warranty information, installation information, manufacturer information, batch/inventory information, EC device/IGU characteristics, cycle count of an EC device, user information, manufacturing Date and window size.Charge storage The amount of ions that remain in the counter electrode layer during the faded state (and correspondingly remain in the EC layer during the colored state) and can be used to drive the EC transition depends on the composition of the layer and the thickness and manufacturing method of the layer. Both the EC layer and the counter electrode layer can supply approximately tens of millicoulombs of charge (in the form of lithium ions and electrons) per square meter of the surface area of the layer. The charge capacity of an EC film is the amount of charge loaded and reversibly dumped per unit area and unit thickness of the film by applying an external voltage or potential. In some embodiments, the window controller has the ability to store the charge generated when an associated EC device undergoes a transition that generates a charge. In other embodiments, the charge generated by the EC window transition is diverted to a power grid. This charge is then reused (for example) for other transformations of the EC window, or, for example, where a BMS and window controller are integrated together, as appropriate for other needs in a building. Although the charge generated by the reverse transition of an EC window is not large, the charge can be stored (for example) in a battery or sent to each other to reuse the charge (for example) One of the other window operations including the transformation is the grid. FIG. 2 shows a circuit 200 in which power is supplied via a source 210 to an IGU 205 including an EC device. According to the embodiments described herein, the source 210 may or may not be part of the window controller. In this example, when power is supplied to the EC device of the IGU 205, as shown in the top part of FIG. 2, the EC device transforms into a colored state. The circuit 200 also includes a charge storage device 215. For example, the device 215 can be a capacitor or a battery. As shown at the bottom of FIG. 2, when the EC device turns from self-coloring to fading immediately after the application of power from the source 210 is stopped, for example, using a bipolar switch to reconfigure the circuit to send the resulting charge formed by the EC device To the charge storage device 215. This stored charge can be used to power other transitions of the EC device in the IGU 205, or to power other aspects of the window controller, such as electrical pulses for I/V measurement, range measurement pulses, etc. In one embodiment, the transformed charge from an EC device is sent to a power grid to be combined with other transformed charges from other windows for use in the EC window system or for other purposes. By reusing the charge formed from the conversion of the EC window, the energy efficiency of the window is enhanced, so the charge is not simply wasted by discharging it to land.On-site short-circuit related defect repair ( " AC Zap " ) As discussed above, for example, when a conductive particle is in contact with each of two conductive and charged layers, the EC device can form short-circuit defects between the oppositely charged conductive layers. When a short circuit occurs, electrons instead of ions migrate between the EC layer and the counter electrode, usually resulting in bright spots or halos at or around the electrical short when the EC device is originally in a colored state. Over time, certain EC windows can form many such electrical shorts and therefore performance is degraded due to a significant increase in one of the leakage currents and the appearance of many such bright spots. In some embodiments, the multi-purpose window controller has the ability to repair short-circuit related defects in the associated EC device. This has the great advantage of repairing the IGU instead of replacing the IGU and repairing the IGU without disassembling it from the window unit. In one embodiment, the window controller repairs short-circuit related defects in the EC device by sending a high voltage alternating current (AC) through the EC device for a period of time. Although not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that this repairs short-circuit related defects. This is because during the application of AC current, the frequency of the AC current does not allow ions to move across the EC stack material, but the current does flow, especially through short-circuit related defects flow. The device does not change during the application of AC current and is therefore protected from damage. The high AC current "overloads" the short circuit and blows it out, thereby effectively sealing the short-circuit related defect area to prevent further current leakage. This method of in-situ repair of short-circuit related defects is described in US Patent Application No. 12/336,455, which designated McMeeking et al. as the inventor and filed on May 2, 2008. The US patent application is cited in its entirety. Incorporated into this article.window ( resistance ) heating The electrode layer of the EC device can be used for resistance heating by, for example, passing a current through one of the electrodes and thus using it as a resistance heating element. In one embodiment, the window controller includes heating one or two electrodes of an EC device of the EC window for resistance heating. Resistance heating can be used to control the temperature of the IGU for thermal barriers, to defrost the IGU, and to control the temperature of the EC device to help the transformation. In one embodiment, the window controller described herein can alternate between transforming the device and heating the device to aid in the transition. An embodiment includes a multi-purpose EC window controller and an EC window device as described herein, wherein at least one transparent conductive oxide layer of an electrochromic device of the EC window is configured to not It is heated depending on the operation of the EC device.Examples of smart controllers The above-explained features of an intelligent controller can be used alone or in combination with each other. Several specific embodiments will now be explained. In one embodiment, the following functions are combined in a single smart controller: (i) supply power to one or more smart windows, (ii) determine a percentage transmittance of one or more smart windows (in any particular Time instance), (iii) determine the temperature of one or more smart windows (at any specific time instance), (iv) provide a communication interface for communicating with one or more smart windows, and (v ) Read data from physically separated memory devices or tags embedded in IGUs associated with one or more smart windows. In the embodiment just outlined, powering a smart window can be achieved by using a pulse-width modulation amplifier (referred to as an "h bridge", for example) that allows the window load to float, ground, or be set to Any voltage or polarity between the controller's input voltage and ground. The power supply function can also be implemented using a "buck converter" and a separate polarity switch, which allows the load to be set to any voltage or polarity between the input voltage to the controller and ground. Control can also include current limiting during all or part of the transition from one state to another. Determining the "percent transmittance" can be inferred by algorithm or directly measured using a sensor (for example, a silicon photodiode), which is connected to one of the controllers through a wired or wireless interface Analog input (AI-transmittance). For example, see Figure 3 and Figure 4. Determining the "temperature of an electrochromic device" can be inferred by algorithm or directly measured using a sensor (for example, a thermocouple, resistance thermometer or RTD), which is measured by a wireless or The wired interface is connected to an analog input (AI-EC temperature) of the controller. For example, see Figure 3 and Figure 4. Wireless and/or wired communication can be achieved using a communication interface that directly interfaces with the smart controller. The communication interface can be local to the microprocessor of the controller or can be an additional circuit for realizing these functions. Finally, the exemplary smart controller can read data from one of the embedded memory devices or tags in the smart window. Such devices or tags can be part of a wiring harness, encapsulated by a secondary seal, etc., but are physically separated from the smart controller. Examples of such devices or tags include RFID tags, EEPROM or FLASH memory chips, which will allow all storage of various information about the windows, including temperature, cycle times, manufacturing date, etc. In another embodiment, the following functions are combined in a single smart controller: (i) supply power to one or more smart windows, (ii) determine a percentage transmittance of one or more smart windows (in any particular Time instance), (iii) determine the size of one or more windows, (iv) measure the temperature of one or more smart windows (at any specific time instance), and (v) determine whether a pair of windows has occurred Damage (defect of evolution), (vi) provide a communication interface for communicating with one or more smart windows, and (vii) separate memory from the entity embedded in the IGU associated with one or more smart windows Read the data from the body device or tag. In the embodiment just outlined, a pulse width modulation amplifier (or h bridge or Buck converter) to achieve power supply to a smart window. It is possible to use a single photoelectric sensor, knowledge of the instantaneous voltage and current values when the window transitions state, and use a sensor in direct contact with the EC coating to measure the actual EC window temperature to determine the transmittance by algorithm. In addition, the direct knowledge of the voltage and current curves together with the measurement of the EC window temperature allows the window size to be determined algorithmically. Voltage and current sensing capabilities allow the controller to compare current readings with historical values stored in the controller or communicated and retrieved through communication with the BMS to determine whether damage to the EC coating has occurred. In yet another embodiment, a controller is designed or configured to perform the following functions: (i) supply power to a reversible optical transition of one or more windows; (ii) determine the transmittance of one or more windows; iii) Determine the temperature of one or more windows; and (iv) Store and transmit data related to one or more windows via an RFID tag or via memory. A separate implementation provides a controller designed or configured to perform one of the following functions: (i) supply power to one of the reversible optical transitions of one or more windows; (ii) determine the size of one or more windows; (iii) Determine the temperature of one or more windows; (iv) communicate between the controller and a separate communication node; and (v) store and transmit data related to one or more windows via an RFID tag or via memory. Yet another controller is designed or configured to perform the following combination of functions: (i) supply power to one or more windows for a reversible optical transition; (ii) determine the transmittance of one or more windows; (iii) determine one or The size of multiple windows; (iv) Determine the temperature of one or more windows; (v) Determine the damage to one or more windows; (vi) Determine the length of a wire between the window controller and one or more windows ; (Vii) Communicate between the window controller and a separate communication node; (viii) store and transmit data related to one or more windows via an RFID tag or via memory; and (ix) repair one or more windows Short-circuit related defects of each window. In these and other examples given herein, when a controller interfaces with more than one window, the stated function can be applied to any one of the controlled windows or any combination or all of the windows. Wait for the window. Another controller is designed or configured to perform the following functions: (i) supply power to one of the reversible optical transitions of one or more windows; (ii) determine the temperature of the one or more windows; and (iii) heat one or more windows One device on multiple windows. The heated device can be the electrochromic device itself or a separate device formed on the windows. When it is desired to include a relatively large window, this embodiment is particularly suitable for cold weather. It allows the windows to operate in a relatively de-toned state when the flux of solar radiation is sufficient. The additional heating permitted by function (iii) permits the use of larger panes instead of large windows in areas where insulating walls are normally expected.Examples of controller architecture FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a window controller configuration 300 that includes an interface for integrating smart windows into, for example, a residential system or a building management system. This controller can act as a smart controller of the type described in this article, or it can be used to provide "local" information from a smart window indirectly controlled by a smart controller. The disclosed embodiments can be implemented in a controller embedded in an IGU (for example). These controllers are sometimes referred to as "onboard" controllers and are described in more detail in U.S. Patent Application No. 13/049,750 entitled "Onboard Controller for Multistate Windows" and filed on March 16, 2011 , The U.S. patent application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In the illustration in Figure 3, a voltage regulator receives power from a standard 24v AC/DC source. The voltage regulator is used to supply power to a microprocessor (μP) and a pulse width modulation (PWM) amplifier, which can generate current at high and low output levels (for example) Power is supplied to an associated smart window. For example, a communication interface allows wireless communication with the microprocessor of the controller. In one embodiment, the communication interface is based on the established interface standard. For example, in one embodiment, the communication interface of the controller uses a serial communication bus, and the serial communication bus may be The CAN 2.0 physical layer standard introduced by Bosch and now widely used in automotive and industrial applications. "CAN" allows a linear bus topology with 64 nodes (window controllers) per network, with data rates ranging from 10 kbps to 1 Mbps and distances up to 2500 m. Other hard-wired examples include MODBUS, LonWorks™, power over Ethernet, BACnet MS/T, etc. The bus can also use wireless technology (for example, Zigbee, Bluetooth, etc.). In the illustrated embodiment, the controller includes a discrete input/output (DIO) function, which receives multiple digital and/or analog inputs, for example, tint level, EC device temperature, percentage Transmittance, device temperature (for example, according to a thermistor), light intensity (for example, according to a LUX sensor), etc. The output includes the color level of the EC device. The configuration shown in FIG. 3 can be used in particular for automated systems. For example, one of the advanced BMSs is an automated system that is used in conjunction with an EC window with the EC controller described in this article. For example, the bus can be used to communicate between a BMS gateway and the EC window controller communication interface. The BMS gateway also communicates with a BMS server. Some of the functions of discrete I/O will now be explained. DI-coloring level bit 0 and DI-coloring level bit 1: These two inputs together form a binary input (2 bits or 2² = 4 combinations; 00, 01, 10, and 11) to allow an external device (switch or relay contact) to select one of four discrete coloring states for each EC pane of an IGU. In other words, this embodiment assumes that the EC device on a pane has four individual coloring states that can be set. For an IGU with two panes, each pane has its own four-state coloring level, and there can be as many as eight binary input combinations. See U.S. Patent Application No. 12/851,514 filed on August 5, 2010 and previously incorporated by reference. In some embodiments, these inputs allow the user to change the control of the BMS (for example, even if the BMS expects a window to be tinted to reduce heat gain, it also de-colors it to obtain more light). AI-EC temperature: This analog input allows a sensor (thermocouple, temperature measuring resistor, RTD) to be directly connected to the controller for the purpose of determining the temperature of the EC coating. Therefore, the temperature can be directly determined without measuring the current and/or voltage at the window. This allows the controller to set the voltage and current parameters output by the controller to suit the temperature. AI transmittance: this type of ratio input allows the controller to directly measure the percentage transmittance of the EC coating. This can be used for the purpose of matching multiple windows that can be adjacent to each other to ensure a consistent visible appearance, or it can be used to determine the actual state of the window when a control algorithm needs to make a correction or state change. With this analog input, the transmittance can be directly measured without using voltage and current feedback to infer transmittance. AI temperature/light intensity: this analog input is connected to an internal room or external (outside the building) light level or temperature sensor. This input can be used to control the desired state of the EC coating in several ways including the following: use the external light level, tint the window (for example, bright outside, tint the window or vice versa); use External temperature sensor to tint the window (for example, Minneapolis is cold outside during the day, un- tinting the window to induce heat gain into the room or vice versa, Phoenix is warm during the day, tinting the window In order to reduce the heat gain and reduce the air conditioning load). AI-% tinting: analog input can be used to interface to the old BMS or use 0 to 10 volts to send a signal to inform the window controller which tinting level should be used for other devices. The controller can choose to try to continuously tint the window (the shade of tinting is proportional to the signal from 0 to 10 volts, the zero volt system completely cancels the tinting, and the 10 volt system completely tints) or quantizes the signal (0 volt to 10 volts). 0.99 volts means to cancel the tinting of the window, 1 volt to 2.99 volts means 5% tinting of the window, 3 volts to 4.99 volts equals 40% tinting and full tinting higher than 5 volts). When a signal exists on this interface, it can still be changed and controlled by a command indicating a different value on the serial communication bus. DO-coloring level bit 0 and bit 1: analog input is similar to DI-coloring level bit 0 and DI-coloring level bit 1. The above is a digital output indicating which of the four coloring states a window is in or is commanded to. For example, if a window is completely toned and a user walks into a house and expects it to be transparent, the user can press one of the switches mentioned and cause the controller to start to de-color the window. Since this transition is not instantaneous, these digital outputs will alternately turn on and off to signal a change in one of the notification processes and then remain in a fixed state when the window reaches its commanded value. FIG. 4 shows a controller configuration 402 with a user interface. For example, when automation is not required, (for example) an EC window controller as shown in FIG. 3 can be provided without PWM components and used as an I/O controller for an end user, where For example, the end user can use a keyboard 404 or other user-controlled interface to control the EC window function. The EC window controller and the optional I/O controller can be daisy-chained together to form an EC window network for automatic and non-automatic EC window applications. In some embodiments, the controller 402 does not directly control a window, but may indirectly control one or more windows. The controller can direct or coordinate the operation of one or more other controllers, such as controller 103 and/or 105 in FIG. 1.Solid and inorganic EC Device An explanation of the EC device is provided for context, because the window controller described herein includes the use of features of the EC device (for example) in order to measure parameters (such as temperature, window size, percent transmittance, etc.) and The function of using an EC device in a non-conventional sense (for example, using an electrode of an EC device for resistance heating). Therefore, the structure and function of EC devices are described in the context of solid-state and inorganic EC devices, although the controller described herein can control any EC device. In addition, as described above, these controllers can be used with non-electrochromic optical switchable devices, such as liquid crystal devices and suspended particle devices. FIG. 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an EC device 500. The electrochromic device 500 includes a substrate 502, a conductive layer (CL) 504, an EC layer (EC) 506, an ion conductive layer (IC) 508, a counter electrode layer (CE) 510, and a conductive layer (CL) 514. The layers 504, 506, 508, 510, and 514 are collectively referred to as an EC stack 520. A voltage source 516 operable to apply a potential across the EC stack 520 to effect the transition of the EC device from, for example, a faded state to a colored state (shown). The order of the layers can be reversed relative to the substrate. The EC device 500 may include one or more additional layers (not shown), such as one or more passive layers. A passive layer for improving certain optical characteristics may be included in the EC device 500. A passive layer for providing moisture or scratch resistance can also be included in the EC device 500. For example, the conductive layer can be treated with an anti-reflective or protective oxide or nitride layer. Other passive layers can be used to tightly seal the EC device 500. These completely solid-state and inorganic EC devices, the methods of making these devices, and the defect rate criteria are described in more detail in the application filed on December 22, 2009 and designated Mark Kozlowski and others as the inventors, entitled "Fabrication of Low-Defectivity Electrochromic Devices" US Patent Application No. 12/645,111 and filed on December 22, 2009 and designated Zhongchun Wang et al. as inventors, in US Patent Application No. 12/645,159 entitled "Electrochromic Devices", the Two U.S. patent applications are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. According to some embodiments, an EC device in which the counter electrode and the EC motor are formed in close proximity (sometimes in direct contact) to each other without separately depositing an ion conductive layer is used with the controller described herein. These devices and the methods of making these devices are described in U.S. Patent Application Nos. 12/772,055 and 12/772,075 each filed on April 30, 2010 and each filed on June 11, 2010 In US Patent Application Nos. 12/814,277 and 12/814,279, each of the four applications is titled "Electrochromic Devices", and each designates Zhongchun Wang et al. as the inventor, and each is cited in its entirety Incorporated into this article. These devices do not have an IC layer themselves, but function like an EC layer. It should be understood that the reference to a transition between a faded state and a colored state is not restrictive and the reference only specifically suggests an example of an EC transition that can be implemented. The term "fading" refers to an optically neutral state, for example, colorless, transparent or translucent. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified herein, the "color" of an EC transition is not limited to any specific wavelength or wavelength range. In the faded state, a potential is applied to the EC stack 520 so that the available ions in the stack that can cause the EC material 506 to be in the colored state mainly reside in the counter electrode 510. When the potential on the EC stack is reversed, ions are transported across the ion conductive layer 508 to the EC material 506 and cause the material to enter a colored state. In this example, the materials that make up the EC stack 520 are both inorganic and solid. Since organic materials tend to degrade over time, inorganic materials provide the advantage of a reliable EC stack that can function over an extended period of time. Materials in the solid state also provide the advantage of not having the problems of blocking and leakage, because materials in the liquid state often have these problems. An embodiment is a device including a controller as described herein and an EC device that is completely solid-state and inorganic. Referring again to FIG. 5, the voltage source 516 is usually a low-voltage power source and can be configured in a multi-purpose controller to operate in conjunction with other components, such as sensors, RFID tags, and so on. In some embodiments, the multi-purpose controller described herein includes the ability to supply power to an EC device (such as a voltage source 516, for example). A typical substrate 502 is glass. Suitable glass includes transparent or tinted soda lime glass, including soda lime float glass. Generally, there is a sodium diffusion barrier layer (not shown) between the substrate 502 and the conductive layer 504 to prevent sodium ions from diffusing into the conductive layer 504 from the glass. On top of the substrate 502 is a conductive layer 504. The conductive layers 504 and 514 can be made of a variety of different materials, including conductive oxides, thin metal coatings, conductive metal nitrides, and composite conductors. Generally, the conductive layers 504 and 514 are transparent at least in the wavelength range in which the EC layer exhibits electrochromic properties. Transparent conductive oxides include metal oxides and metal oxides doped with one or more metals. Since oxides are commonly used for these layers, they are sometimes referred to as "transparent conductive oxide" (TCO) layers. The function of the TCO layer is to spread a potential provided by the voltage source 516 on the surface of the EC stack 520 to the internal area of the stack, which has a very small ohmic potential drop. The electric potential is transferred to the conductive layer through the electrical connection to the conductive layer. Generally, bus bars (one in contact with conductive layer 504 and one in contact with conductive layer 514) provide electrical connection between voltage source 516 and conductive layers 504 and 514. Generally, various thicknesses of the layer of conductive material can be used as long as it provides the necessary electrical properties (for example, conductivity) and optical properties (for example, transmittance). Generally, the conductive layers 504 and 514 are as thin as possible to increase transparency and reduce cost. Preferably, the thickness of each conductive layer 504 and 514 is also substantially uniform. Thin film resistance of conductive layer (R_s ) Is also important because of the relatively large areas that the layers traverse when, for example, the device is part of an electrochromic window. The sheet resistance of the conductive layers 504 and 514 may range from about 5 ohms per square to about 30 ohms per square. Generally, it is desirable that the sheet resistance of each of the two conductive layers is approximately the same. The conductive layers can be used to resistively heat the device with the help of their thin-film resistors, instead of operating an EC device of which the conductive layers are a part. In one embodiment, the described multi-purpose controller includes the function of using one or more conductive layers of an EC device for resistance heating. This resistance heating is explained in more detail below. The overlying conductive layer 504 is the EC layer 506. The EC layer may contain any one or more of a variety of different EC materials, including metal oxides. The EC layer 506 including a metal oxide can receive ions transmitted from the counter electrode layer 510. The thickness of the EC layer 506 depends on the EC material selected for the EC layer. The EC layer 506 may be about 50 nm to 2,000 nm thick. An ion conductive layer 508 covers the EC layer 506. Any suitable material can be used for the ion conductive layer 508 as long as it allows ions to pass between the counter electrode layer 510 to the EC layer 506 while substantially preventing electrons from passing through. On top of the ion conductive layer 508 is a counter electrode layer 510. The counter electrode layer may include one or more of a variety of different materials that can act as ion storage tanks when the EC device is in a faded state. During an EC transition initiated by, for example, applying an appropriate potential, the counter electrode layer transfers some or all of the ions held by it to the EC layer through the IC layer, thereby changing the EC layer to a colored state. At the same time, in the case of nickel tungsten oxide (NiWO), the counter electrode layer is colored with ion loss. Since the counter electrode layer 510 contains ions for generating EC phenomena in the EC material when the EC material is in a faded state, the counter electrode preferably has high transmittance and a neutral color when it holds a large amount of this plasma. When a counter electrode 510 made of NiWO removes charge (that is, ions are transferred from the counter electrode 510 to the EC layer 506), the counter electrode layer will return from a transparent state to a brown colored state. Therefore, when a potential is applied to an electrochromic device, an optical transition occurs. Similarly, when an EC device is switched in another direction, it behaves like the same battery, and a charge is generated by the ions passing through the IC layer in the opposite direction, and current flows from the EC device. The multi-purpose controller described in this article uses this phenomenon by capturing and/or diverting this charge to a power grid for reuse. Although the foregoing invention has been described in detail to a certain extent to facilitate understanding, the illustrated embodiments are considered to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Those who are familiar with this technology will easily know that certain changes and modifications can be implemented within the scope of the attached patent application.

100: Building Management System 101: Building 102: window controller 103: main controller 105a: Intermediate controller 105b: Intermediate controller 110: terminal controller 200: Circuit 205: insulated glass unit 210: source 215: charge storage device/device 300: Window controller configuration 402: Controller configuration 404: keyboard 500: Electrochromic device 502: Substrate 504: conductive layer 506: Electrochromic layer 508: Ion Conductive Layer 510: Counter electrode layer 514: conductive layer 516: voltage source 520: Electrochromic stack μP: Microprocessor

Figure 1 shows an EC window controller that interfaces with a building management system. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a charge storage mechanism of the controller described in this article. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an on-board window controller. Figure 4 shows a different on-board window controller and associated user interface. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a completely solid and inorganic EC device on a substrate.

300: Window controller configuration

μP: Microprocessor

Claims (23)

An electrochromic window, comprising: a first pane, which includes a transparent substrate having an electrochromic device thereon and a first transparent conductive layer of the electrochromic device in electrical communication A first bus bar; a memory in electrical communication with the first bus bar, the memory storing data including information about the electrochromic window; and a window controller configured to deliver power to The first bus bar is configured to read the data; wherein the memory system is physically separated from the window controller. Such as the electrochromic window of claim 1, wherein the electrochromic window is configured as an insulating glass unit. For example, the electrochromic window of claim 2, wherein the insulating glass unit includes: (i) the first pane; (ii) a second pane; (iii) the first pane and the second pane And (iv) a secondary seal between the first pane and the second pane. Such as the electrochromic window of claim 3, wherein the memory is embedded in the secondary seal. Such as the electrochromic window of claim 3, wherein the memory system is part of a wiring harness. Such as the electrochromic window of claim 5, wherein the window controller is configured to deliver power to the first bus bar via the wiring harness. Such as the electrochromic window of claim 1, wherein the window controller is part of a window controller network, which is configured to control a plurality of electrochromic windows. Such as the electrochromic window of claim 7, wherein the window controller communicates with the window controller network via a wireless communication and/or a wired communication. Such as the electrochromic window of claim 8, wherein the wireless communication and/or the wired communication are performed via a communication interface of the window controller. Such as the electrochromic window of claim 9, wherein the communication interface uses a CAN bus, a MODBUS, BACnet or power supply via Ethernet. Such as the electrochromic window of claim 9, wherein the communication interface uses Zigbee or Bluetooth. Such as the electrochromic window of claim 1, wherein the window controller is separated from the electrochromic window. Such as the electrochromic window of claim 1, wherein the window controller is configured to control more than one Electrochromic window. Such as the electrochromic window of claim 1, wherein the memory is an RFID tag, an EEPROM or a FLASH memory chip. Such as the electrochromic window of claim 1, where the data includes one or more guarantee information, installation information, manufacturer information, batch information, inventory information, physical characteristics of the electrochromic device, insulating glass unit characteristics, and user information , Manufacturing date, window size, window temperature and cycle count of electrochromic devices. Such as the electrochromic window of claim 1, wherein the data is used to determine the adjustment of the power delivered to the first bus bar to drive one or more optical transitions in the electrochromic device. The electrochromic window of claim 1, wherein the electrochromic device is solid and inorganic. For example, the electrochromic window of claim 1, further comprising a second bus bar in electrical communication with a second transparent conductive layer of the electrochromic device, wherein the window controller is also configured to deliver power to the first Two bus bars. The electrochromic window of claim 18, wherein the electrochromic window or the window controller includes a charge storage device as a power source for tinting the electrochromic device. Such as the electrochromic window of claim 19, wherein the charge storage device is a battery or a capacitor Device. Such as the electrochromic window of claim 19, wherein the charge storage device is used to store the charge from a power source and/or the charge released from the electrochromic device. Such as the electrochromic window of claim 1, wherein the window controller uses a pulse width modulation amplifier to supply power to the electrochromic device. Such as the electrochromic window of claim 22, wherein the window controller measures the current and voltage delivered to the electrochromic device.

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